Is being a plumber an easy job? | Everything about working in plumbing

Is being a plumber an easy job?

Plumbers can often be overlooked in the career market. However, they are one of the most valuable trades in all industries. Without a plumber, things can get messy quickly.

So we know that a plumber is an essential trade, but how easy is it? After all, what’s complicated about pipes? A lot. There are far more details that need to be considered than just pipes in plumbing. So let’s look at what a plumber does, the industries within plumbing, and other important aspects you need to know before you step into this career. 

What does a plumber do?

A world without plumbers wouldn’t be pretty. Plumbers are essential in safeguarding the health and wellness of our communities. They are the unsung heroes who ensure that our homes and offices have running water and properly functioning drainage systems. 

Their job description includes everything from fixing broken pipes to installing new fixtures; it’s a pretty hands-on role. Despite the amount of manual labour involved, plumbers are some of the happiest professionals out there. Plumbers get to solve complex problems, work with their hands, and have the satisfaction of knowing that they’ve made someone’s day just a little bit better. 

If you’re looking for a career that has a tangible impact on people’s lives, then being a plumber might just be the perfect fit.

What are the different areas of expertise in plumbing?

Plumbing is an essential service that keeps our homes and buildings running smoothly. It might not be widely known, but there are different areas of expertise within the plumbing industry.

From residential to commercial, plumbing sectors vary greatly in terms of their specific skills and knowledge. Some plumbers specialise in fixing leaky faucets and repairing water heaters, while others focus on designing and installing complex plumbing systems for large commercial buildings. 

What is the average salary for a plumber?

The average salary for a plumber can vary depending on several factors such as:

  • Location
  • Qualifications
  • Experience

However, a typical salary for a plumber would range between £33,827 to £38,800. If you are being recruited through a recruitment agency, they will ensure that the salary that is being offered is in line with industry standards as well as your personal qualities and experiences. 

What qualifications does a plumber need?

While many may not realise, there are several qualifications you will need to become a qualified plumber.

Qualifications such as:

  • Level 1 (NVQ) Certificate Introduction to Plumbing
  • Level 1/2 Diploma in Plumbing Foundation
  • Level 2 Diploma in Access to Building Services Engineering
  • Level 2 (NVQ) Diploma in Installing and Maintaining Domestic Heating Systems
  • Level 2/3 (NVQ) Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating

How is the plumbing industry evolving? 

As technology continues to advance the plumbing industry also experiences an exciting evolution. Innovation is rife, and the plumbing sectors are being revolutionised by pioneering technology, sustainable practices and new training programmes. The importance of sustainability is at the forefront of this transformation, with an increasing emphasis on eco-friendly plumbing solutions and water-saving technology. 

But it’s not just the technology that’s changing. The industry is also embracing a new era of diversity and inclusivity, with a much-needed focus on attracting new talent from underrepresented backgrounds; finally shaking off its reputation as a male-dominated industry. 

Overall, the plumbing industry is quickly becoming unrecognisable from what it was even a decade ago, and it’s an inspiring time to be a part of this dynamic and constantly evolving trade.

If you are looking for a challenge, a change in career or a new company to work for that aligns with your values; FBR can help guide you to your next role. Our experts can find the right role for you, speak to us today. 



/by
,

What your recruitment agent should do to help you prep for your interview | Construction interview prep

What your recruitment agent should do to help you prep for your interview

What can recruiters do to help you prepare for an interview in construction? 

Let’s be honest, interviews can be awful. It might be bold of us to say but it’s true, and unfortunately many in our industry like to cover it up. However, what we want to do instead is support you in your interview journey and help make the process easier. After all, that’s what we signed up for as a recruitment agency. We stick by our word when we say we want you to find the best job that suits your skills and ethics. 

Now, part of what we do is help give you the tools to prepare for your interview in any industry but let’s look at construction interview prep. Before we get started there are a few things to note:

1:  We can give you the tools and support you need but we can’t do the interview for you.

2: You will need to put in some work yourself in order to prepare for an interview. 

Now that’s clear, let’s get into construction interview prep!

How to prepare for an interview 

Here is a list of a few key things you will need to do in order to prepare for an interview. Of course speak with your recruiter if you have any questions, but these are things that are typically done independently.

Research the company

One of the most important things you can do is research the company you are having an interview with. Find out what construction projects have been done, how they work, and who they are. This will form the foundation of the next construction interview prep work.

Write your questions down

Next you want to start writing down some questions you want to ask. Think about what you want to know about the company and the role. If you are stuck for questions and don’t know where to start, we have some interview questions you can use to help get you started.

Check your memberships

For many roles in construction you may be required to have certain memberships and qualifications which need to be renewed. Check them before the interview and make sure they are all up to date. Think about your health and safety memberships, CSCS cards, and any licence you might have that need to be renewed or updated. 

How a recruitment agent will help you prepare for an interview

There are a couple of ways a recruiter can help you prepare for your construction role interview. Such as:

Provide feedback 

Recruiters understand and know what the company is looking for, this means that we can provide you with valuable information and feedback relating to your application and own prepwork. 

Highlight missing information

Recruiters should be able to highlight any missing information, whether that is from your application or additional information that is needed to round out your file.

Assist with questions and prep

In recruitment, we know what questions to ask and what can be asked in an interview. Our recruiters can help guide you through this process and help you anticipate what you may be asked during your interview. We are also able to highlight things that shouldn’t be approached, such as questions which can lead to discrimination or other HR nightmares. 

In recruitment we work to ensure that the role that is being advertised is as detailed as possible. We will ensure that you are applying for the right role as well as getting the best offer possible, whether that is negotiating salary and more. 

Here at FBR you can trust our recruitment experts to have your interests at the forefront of our decision making process. Contact our team to see how we can help you find the perfect role for you.



/by

What is the function of general manager civil construction?

functions of a general manager in civil construction may vary

Civil construction is a huge industry, from the creation of infrastructure to managing water and landscapes; a general manager in civil construction has a lot of responsibilities. 

Like any job role, knowing what to expect is essential. Whether you have experience in other areas of civil construction or are looking to move up the career ladder; understanding your role and responsibilities will help you be the best you can be. 

While some functions of a general manager in civil construction may vary depending on the section of civil construction, or even the company itself. Here at FBR, we work to ensure that we provide as much information relating to any job role within our industry. 

Here is a general overview of what you can expect to find within the functions of a general manager in civil construction.

General manager in civil construction job description

Construction General Managers are the chief players in the game of building. They are there from the beginning, guiding the project through pre-construction and working alongside the design architect. Keeping the budget on track and sticking to a timeline falls under their remit. In the execution phase, Construction Managers team up with onsite managers for a close-up view of the ongoing project.

As the Construction General Manager, your varied responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Overseeing construction projects from start to stop
  • Conducting a thorough review to schedule deliverables and estimate costs
  • Watching over all onsite and offsite constructions; quality and safety are topmost priorities!

Ultimately general managers in civil construction advise project owners and lead the team of builders, including the general contractor. From keeping schedules on track, to finances in view, and ensuring that everyone is performing their best- a construction manager is a true jack-of-all-trades!

Salary insights 

Like all roles, salary can vary depending on your location. As a recruitment agency, we always work to ensure that salaries are competitive with the local market. Not only do we check the local markets, we also check that prospective employees are going to receive a salary that is appropriate for the role and relevant experience. 

General manager civil engineering salary by location

Location can dictate the salary, below are some average location based salaries for a general manager within civil construction. 

London: £61,271 per year 

Manchester: £53,218 per year

Birmingham: £54,001 per year
Hampshire: £55,000 per year

Qualifications for general managers in civil construction

So now you know what you might be doing or what is expected of you. You also have a rough idea on what kind of salary you can expect, but what about qualifications? 

Like many roles, qualifications are necessary in order to be considered for a position. Some of these may not be necessary, but they may increase your chances of claiming a role or even a higher salary. 

Necessary qualifications for a general manager in civil construction:

Essential qualifications are a high school education and one of the following qualifications:

  • Certificate in site management level 6 
  • Higher national certificate in Construction
  • Higher national diploma in construction management
  • Degree in construction management

You may decide to go down the route of an apprenticeship to obtain one of the above qualifications. 

Nice to have qualifications as a general manager in civil construction:

Like all roles and industries additional qualifications can always be beneficial. For example:

  • NEBOSH certified 
  • Health and safety qualifications
  • First aid

If you are looking for a role in civil construction as a general manager, speak to our expert recruitment agents. 



/by
, ,

Recruitment statistics – what’s the truth on the current job market

get down to the truth about the current job market

We’ve all been there, confused between what is fact and fiction when it comes to recruitment statistics. The truth is that the job market is fiercely competitive, and these statistics and figures change on a daily basis. 

We often hear about the negatives, how there aren’t any jobs for people and other comments. However, this isn’t the case. Many industries are struggling to recruit, this is due to the fact that they need such a high volume of workers. 

But enough about these vague notions and comments, let’s get down to the truth about the current job market and what you can do as a candidate to make the most of it.

What is the current UK employment rate?

According to statistics between the ages of 16 – 64 the current employment rate is around 75.8%. The unemployment rate is at a low of 3.8%, so where are the missing numbers? 

We have to factor in that some people are retired before the age of 64, as well as there are some who are unable to work due to health reasons. 

What is the current number of job vacancies? 

In the first three months of 2023, there were 47,000 fewer job openings than the previous quarter. It’s become a bit of a pattern, with a nine-quarter streak of falling vacancies, showing just how uncertain different industries have been. Survey respondents have cited economic pressures as a key factor in declining recruitment.

However, this isn’t a sure sign that everything is going down. After the unease last year relating to increasing interest rates and general banking uncertainty, many employers may have held back during the first quarter of the year. 

What was the growth in salary?

So, let’s break it down. From December 2022 to February 2023, there was a 5.9% increase in an employee’s overall pay, including bonuses, while regular pay growth (excluding bonuses) was 6.6%. 

The private sector saw average regular pay growth of 6.9% during the same period, compared to 5.3% for the public sector. Recently, the gap between these two sectors’ growth rates has narrowed. But that’s not all. When we factor in inflation, real growth in total and regular pay decreased in the year from December 2022 to February 2023. In fact, real total pay fell by 3.0%, which is the largest drop since 2009. 

Because of this employers and recruiters are seeing more “job hopping” than before. It is widely known that one of the ways people have increased their salary is by moving into new job roles. Use that knowledge to your own advantage. 

What does this mean for you?

While some of these numbers might not paint a particularly bright picture, we must remember that these results are only from the first quarter. This period of the year was extremely turbulent for many industries for many different reasons. 

What you can do as a potential candidate is look at these numbers and look at the opportunities you have available. Leveraging salary insights is one way you can ensure to get paid what is expected. A recruitment agent will be there to help ensure you are getting a competitive salary for your role. 

Not only can you use these figures to help benefit your income, but you can also look for ways to upskill and improve. This will make you more valuable as an employee or prospective candidate. 

There is always more to the story than meets the eye, don’t let a small snapshot of a constantly changing market affect your perception. Businesses are recruiting and they want the best talent. 

Speak to our experts today to start a conversation about your next career opportunity.

**All statistics were obtained from the Office for National Statistics and were correct at the time of writing.

/by